Cam Sur Partido District girds for trade, tourism takeoff with new airport

TIGAON, Camarines Sur, July 28, 2016 -- Airports are catalysts to economic growth. In a bid to address the need to accelerate economic development in the 4th District of Camarines Sur (Partido District), Congressman Arnulfo "Noli" Fuentebella filed House Bill 1685 establishing a domestic airport in the town of San Jose, to be known as Partido Domestic Airport.

Based on the Master Plan prepared by the Partido Development Administration (PDA), the district-planning and development body of Cam. Sur 4th District, the proposed airport will effectively complement all collective initiatives to position Partido as a premiere tourist destination. It will serve as a vital link to world-class tourism zones in the Province of Camarines Sur like the Atulayan Island in Sagñay; the famous site of international television show, Survivor Series in Caramoan; the Partido Riviera (Sagñay-Tiwi Road), the most scenic tourism highway in the world, and a host of other tourist spots.

The airport will also provide a more convenient access to secondary and tertiary educational institutions in the province, the Philippine Science High School-Bicol Campus and the Partido State University, both in the municipality of Goa, Camarines Sur.

The Master Plan further revealed a more detailed and interesting finding that the proposed airport will assure more safety to passengers owing to its advantageous geographical considerations: site is surrounded by tracts of plains, proximity along the coast of Lagonoy Gulf, significant distance from Mt. Isarog. These factors guarantee a more secure landing and take-off for aircrafts, with minimal possibility of turbulence and haste. It will also provide a safer alternative to Naga Airport which has a short runway.

Fuentebella said that prospects are bright for the district with the operation of this new airport as it will link communities and businesses with the entire country, increase economic activity, and rev up trade and tourism.

He further added that in 2010, DOTC Secretary Jose "Ping" de Jesus, cognizant of the tourism potential of Partido, requested the Department of Budget and Management for the release of allocation for the development of the project. It was unfortunate though that the project was shelved with his sudden departure from the Cabinet.

Under the bill, the Department of Transportation shall undertake the planning and design, construction and acquisition of the airport site in Barangays Telegrafo and Manzana.